PO Box 3026 Asquith NSW 2077
PO Box 3026 Asquith NSW 2077
The Kii Peninsula points south away from the great cities of Kyoto and Osaka, and is one of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan, despite its proximity. Long a place of pilgrimage, it is the site of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan). From the 11th century successive emperors and their families made the long and difficult pilgrimage to Kumano from Kyoto. Several pilgrimage trails were established, and amongst them the Nakahechi-do, Kohechi-do and Ohechi-do, collectively known as the Kumano kodo (Old road of Kumano). Our walk focuses on part of the Nakahechi-do, which weaves its way through the forested mountains and small villages to the Grand Shrine of Hongu. You then transfer by bus and train to the Nachi Grand Shrine.
The walking is mostly paved village paths and unpaved mountains trails, with considerable ascent and descent on certain days. Though not 'technical', you will be need to be fit and well-prepared with adequate gear and clothing. This walk is highly customisable; there are 4 Days of walking ranging from 4 to 9 hours, and we can advise on which days to leave out if you want a shorter or more gentle walk.
| Tour Starts | Tour Ends | Price | |||||
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| Twin Share | Single | ||||||
| Kumano Kodo self-guided walking 6 Days | |||||||
| Tour Starts | Kyoto or Osaka | Tour Ends | Kyoto or Osaka | Twin Share | AUD2,170 | Single | AUD2,980 |
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Duration : 5 Nights 6 Days Visit : Kyoto or Osaka - Kii-Tanabe - Takijiri - Takahara - Chikatsuyu - Hongu - Yunomine Onsen - Koguchi - Nachi-san - Kii-Katsuura - Kyoto or Osaka - Includes : 5 nights accommodation, 5 Breakfasts and 5 Dinners, Train tickets (from/to Kyoto or Osaka), Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking instructions, Topographical map, Local phone support Exclusions : Flights, Airport transfers, Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches, Pay locally for bus journeys on Days 1, 3, 4 and 6, Single room supplement(s) if required Departure Dates Recommended from April to November Download : | |||||||
| Day 1 (Meals : D) |
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Hike from Takijiri to Takahara
Walking distance : 4.5km
Elevation gain : 370m of ascent
Time required : About 2 hours
Welcome to Japan! We will have transportation services to take you to your hotel.
Please refer to your tour handbook for more information.
Rest at the hotel and be ready to start your exciting tour tomorrow.
Our tour includes train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or Osaka to the small town of Kii-Tanabe on the mystical Kii Peninsula, gateway to the historic Kumano Kodo Trail.
The railway line runs close to the ocean for the latter part of the journey and offers fine views out over the sea.
The journey from Osaka to Kii-Tanabe is around two and half hours; from Kyoto it is around three hours and usually requires a change of trains at Shin-Osaka station.
Board a local bus outside Kii-Tanabe station and travel forty minutes to Takijiri.
This is where your walk on the Nakahechi portion of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route begins.
From Takijiri the path climbs steadily to the ridge-top village of Takahara, and takes around two hours.
Stay tonight in a small, Japanese-style hotel in the tiny village of Takahara, or in a Japanese Minshuku in the nearby village of Kurisugawa. Both options serve good, home-cooked dinners featuring local seasonal ingredients. The small Japanese-style hotel in Takahara has both Japanese and western-style rooms, all with wonderful views over the valley and mountains.
Hotel : Japanese-style Hotel in Takahara, or Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) in Kurisugawa
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| Day 2 (Meals : B/D) |
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Hike from Takahara to Chikatsuyu
Walking distance : 10km
Elevation gain : 480m of ascent and 520m of descent
Time required : About 4-5 hours
After your Japanese breakfast you leave your inn and follow the trail as it winds through small settlements and peaceful countryside.
You pass several Oji shrines before finally descending to the village of Chikatsuyu.
The paths are clearly defined, and flagstones have been laid in some places to make the climbs easier.
Arrive in Chikatsuyu in time to relax before dinner at a family-run Minshuku guest-house.
Hotel : Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) in Chikatsuyu
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| Day 3 (Meals : B/D) |
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Hike from Chikatsuyu to Hongu
Walking distance : 24km
Elevation gain : 820m of ascent and 1,140m of descent
Time required : About 8-9 hours
From Chikatsuyu, the trail continues through the mountains to Hongu.
The trail passes through small villages and forest trails over the Kii Mountains to the Kumano shrine at Hongu, one of the three 'Grand Shrines of Kumano'.
At the heart of these sacred mountains, Kumano was said to be the entrance to the land of Yomi, the 'other world' which spirits travelled to in Japanese mythology.
From the Kumano shrine at Hongu, a short bus ride brings you to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest natural hot-spring villages in Japan, or to Kawayu Onsen famous for the thermal water bubbling to the surface of the crystal clear river.
Enjoy a relaxing soak in a Japanese bath before or after your delicious, multi-course dinner.
* We offer two shorter alternatives of 7 hours (15km) or of 2 hours (7km), using a local bus from Chikatsuyu to shorten the walk. You can choose which option you prefer on the day - no need to decide in advance!
Hotel : Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) in Yunomine Onsen
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| Day 4 (Meals : B/D) |
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Further hiking along the Nakahechi trail
Walking distance : 12.4km
Elevation gain : 520m of ascent and 500m of descent
Time required : About 4 hours
Take time to explore the atmospheric village where you spent the night, before undertaking one of two possible hiking options; ascend the Kogumotorigoe path towards Koguchi or undertake another section close to Hongu, with excellent valley views.
The first option begins with a short bus ride to Ukegawa on the banks of the Kumano River.
From Ukegawa, you start on the Kogumotorigoe path, which heads up to the Kogumotorigoe Pass before descending to the remote village of Koguchi.
The trail is not difficult and should take you about 4 hours.
For guests spending a second evening close to Hongu, we offer various excellent hiking options up to 6 hours, the longest of which can generally be undertaken completely on foot.
* We offer a number of alternatives from 1 up to 6 hours (13km / 8 miles) if staying close to Hongu.
Hotel : Japanese Lodge or Ryokan in Koguchi
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| Day 5 (Meals : B / D) |
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Hike from Koguchi to Nachi-san
Walking distance : 15.1km
Elevation gain : 980m of ascent and 920m of descent
Time required : About 6-7 hours
The final section of the trail takes you from Koguchi up to the Ogumotorigoe Pass with a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.
It then descends to Nachi-san, the location of Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano and Nachi-taki waterfall.
Stay overnight either in the small village of Nachi-san close to the shrine, or take a local bus for the twenty-minute ride to the port town of Kii-Katsuura with wonderful views over the island-studded bay.
Enjoy dinner and breakfast served by your hosts at your accommodation.
Hotel : Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) or Japanese-style Onsen Hotel in Katsuura
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| Day 6 (Meals : B) |
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Kii-Katsuura and onwards to Osaka or Kyoto
Kii-Katsuura is an active fishing port and has a lively early-morning fish market.
Enjoy the views out over the island-studded bay.
There are intriguing backstreets and a traditional covered shopping arcade to explore, too.
We provide train tickets for you to board a train at lunchtime, travelling back around the Kii Peninsula and arriving in Osaka or Kyoto mid to late afternoon.
Hotel : N/A
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